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Friday, January 29, 2016

Nouwen: the circle of prayer

Friday, January 29, 2016 Meditation: Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. —2 Corinthians 1:3-4 (NIV) Quotation: Prayer and action, therefore, can never be seen as contradictory or mutually exclusive. Prayer without action grows in powerless pietism, and action without prayer degenerates into questionable manipulation. If prayer leads us into a deeper unity with the compassionate Christ, it will always give rise to concrete acts of service. And if concrete acts of service do indeed lead us to a deeper solidarity with the poor, the hungry, the sick, the dying, and the oppressed, they will always give rise to prayer. In prayer we meet Christ, and in him all human suffering. In service we meet people, and in them the suffering Christ. ... Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), Compassion, London: Darton, Longman and Todd, 1982, Random House, 2005, p. 117-118 (see the book) See also 2 Cor. 1:3-4; Isaiah 40:11; Col. 1:24; 3:12; 1 Pet. 4:13Quiet time reflection: Lord, Your people seek You in all trials.